SO4 2-

For those of you who aren't familiar with the title, it's the chemical formula for sulfate! So yes.... You've clearly figured out that this post is about sulfates!
(I know what you're thinking. It does look really pretty, but it's not so nice to your hair!)


..but what does Sulfate have to do with my hair??


Most shampoos contain sulfate (because of its wonderful cleansing ability). Some  conditioners do as well, but most conditioners contain sulfates that are not harsh. A harsh sulfate has an amazing ability to strip your hair of its moisture. Having dry or brittle hair will cause much breakage and there goes all your attempts at retaining length... down the drain (pun intended). Here are some harsh sulfates that you should check your shampoo ingredients for: Ammonium Laureth Sulfate, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, TEA Laureth Sulfate, TEA Lauryl Sulfate. Some nicer sulfates that you may run into (you might even see on the back of your shampoo bottle because you're probably gonna check.....NOW): Polyoxethylene Fatty Alcohols, PEG 80, Sorbitan Laurate, Decyl Polyglucose, Cocamidoprpyl Betaine, Sodium Myreth Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate. 


If you have been using a shampoo with a harsh sulfate, you may want to switch it up as soon as possible. If you have been experiencing a lot of breakage, you hair is asking for some TLC! Maybe you need to add regular protein treatments to your regimen (every other week, every couple of weeks), maybe you need to up the moisture, perhaps you need to do some more protective styling, it's probably time to limit heat, or maybe you it's time for a trim. Whatever it is, you will only figure it out but experimenting (FYI, none of this suggestions will actually hurt you, so feel free to try all of them! 


What I'm doing now: Cowashing! 
I haven't shampoo'd since about... Late March? I've been cowashing once a week with TRESemme Naturals, a sulfate free conditioner. 


How do I feel about it?
LOVE. I like the fact that my hair doesn't feel even the slightest bit of stripped when I'm done washing. It also has made my hair extra soft and EXTRA curly. I hadn't realized until I mini twisted recently. The look wasn't expected, but I don't totally mind.


Hope this helps! :)

Sealing Moisture

Sealing
I used to have the mentality that water is just not good on my already nappy hair. I already knew that it shrunk my hair, but I also thought that it definitely made my hair fall out... FALSE. In reality, water is one of the BEST natural moisturizers your hair will ever find! Now? Water is a staple on my list of hair products. Plus, you find it everywhere! The only thing you have to remember is to seal in the moisture in your hair. Why? Because our hair is so porous, it takes in moisture easily, but it also loses moisture just as easy. The purpose of using a sealant (preferably something like some type of oil) is to keep your moisture in and to keep your ends alive much longer.
SN: This actually came as a surprise to me as well, but petroleum jelly is not as beneficial to your hair and we commonly think! Petrolatum, mineral oil, and lanolin products are just filler ingredients.
The best types of oils to use for sealing are coconut, jojoba, olive, and carrot oil.
ALSO! Oils do not moisturize! (Oil is hydrophobic... It HATES water & it will lock all the moisture OUT of your hair. You do NOT want that!)
So add water first (or whatever your primary moisturizer is) and then add the oil!